Fly Me to Polaris

Fly Me to Polaris, directed by Jingle Ma, is a 1999 Cantonese drama romance film that focuses on themes of love, destiny, and the supernatural. The film portrays the budding romance and emotional journey of the lead characters, Onion (Richie Jen) and Autumn (Cecilia Cheung).

Onion, a humble and compassionate man, works as a janitor in a nursing home. Despite his congenital blindness, Onion has a positive outlook on life and carries out his duties with a smile and a joyful heart. He uses his remaining senses to paint a vivid picture of the world, appreciating the beauty in everything. Onion's remarkable character and spirit leaves a deep impression on a nurse named Autumn.

Autumn, portrayed by Cecilia Cheung, is introduced as a beautiful, caring nurse who works in the same nursing home as Onion. She is drawn to Onion's spirit, positivity, and appreciation for life. Eventually, their shared experiences at the nursing home paved the way for a budding romance between the two.

Their story takes a turn when a tragic incident strikes, leading Onion to a strange cosmic realm. In this otherworldly realm, he encounters a celestial being, Star Fairy (William So), who grants him a wish. Driven by the profound love he has developed for Autumn, Onion made a heartfelt request.

The encounter with the Star Fairy unravels a series of events that intertwine their lives in ways that neither of them could possibly imagine. Contrary to your typical love story, Fly Me to Polaris takes viewers on a different trajectory with its subtle blend of romance and magic-realism.

Richie Jen's remarkable performance as Onion beautifully depicts the experiences and struggles of those with disability. Jen's portrayal of Onion's spirit, optimism, and resilience brings depth to his character and adds a layer of emotional intensity to his interactions with Autumn. Cecilia Cheung's role as Autumn captures the caring nature and internal conflicts of a woman who found love in an unlikely situation further adds to the richness of the film. William So's depiction of Star Fairy adds an extra dimension to the storyline and presents the audience with thought-provoking questions about life and destiny.

The film’s title, Fly Me to Polaris, alludes to the North Star Polaris, symbolizing guidance and hope. This star's consistent availability has historically been a reliable navigational tool and metaphorically represents the characters' need to find their way amidst the hardships they encounter.

Jingle Ma's direction ingeniously intertwines the characters’ lives and transforms a heart-wrenching story into a breath-taking sequence of emotional and majestic scenes. The director's use of ethereal lighting and visually compelling aesthetic choices make for an eye-catching visual experience that draws the viewers into the film's emotional narrative.

Moreover, complemented by an enchanting musical score, the film consistently maintains a dream-like ambiance throughout the story, further enhancing its magical elements. Its most notable musical piece, the title track "Fly Me to Polaris", has notably become a classic in Cantonese pop culture.

Fly Me to Polaris takes viewers on an emotional roller coaster with its mixing of everyday reality with supernatural elements. It beautifully delivers a narrative that explores themes of love, fate, dreams, and the enduring human spirit. This seamless fusion of genres and well-executed performances from the cast makes this film a memorable experience for viewers, promising a thoughtfully crafted narrative that keeps spectators engaged from beginning to end.

In conclusion, Fly Me to Polaris is more than just a love story. It's an exploration of human experiences and emotions, framed in a narrative that transcends the boundaries of reality. Amongst the bouquet of films that emerged from Hong Kong’s cinematic landscape in the late '90s, this film unquestionably stands out, leaving a lasting impression on its viewers.